Friday, January 13, 2006

Leave it to Apple to create the best jazz "video" in years

In case you missed it, when Apple CEO Steve Jobs took to the stage at the Moscone Center on Tuesday for his Macworld Convention keynote address, he not only unveiled new Macs running Intel processors, he also debuted a new iPod tv commercial featuring Wynton Marsalis. The spot is similar in style to the recent iPod spot that featured Eminem, (and got the shoemaker Lugz all upset, claiming Apple copied one of their recent tv spots) , though instead of orange tones on the Lugz/Eminem spot, this one has a blue tint.

That said, I think this is a VERY compelling spot, not so much for the iPod, as almost everyone (but me) already owns one. Rather it's a VERY compelling spot for jazz. It doesn't present jazz as some dusty relic, it present jazz as hip, fun and exciting. And it's not the typical uber chic image that other companies try to portray when marketing their products with jazz. It's a little bit gritty, down to earth and accessible. And most attempts of merging jazz and "music videos" have been quite horrible as well. Leave it to Apple and their seemingly "midas touch" in marketing to make jazz releavent and hip.

I'm with you. Apple went one big step forward by bundling the "Sparks" :30 spot with a 3:31 "making of" interview, and the 15:32 live performance of "The Magic Hour" from the product launch event - a great jazz bundle for a few bucks on the iTMS. Let's hope more follows.

About Me

Getting paid to listen to music, and play it for other people, isn't such a bad gig. While supervising 90.7 KFSR's jazz programs is only a very small part of my duties as Station Manager of 90.7 KFSR radio in Fresno, California, it's the part closest to my heart, and the subject of this blog. I also am on air a couple of days a week as part of our Morning Jazz program, playing a lot of the music I discuss here on this blog. 90.7 KFSR is the primary source for authentic jazz music in the Fresno area, ranging from Louis Armstrong to Brad Mehldau. 90.7 KFSR also broadcasts a wide variety of music and programs, from shows like A Prairie Home Companion to etown, to genres from to western swing to indie pop and beyond. You can listen on the web at kfsr.org. Our jazz programs air Mondays thru Fridays, midnight till 6:00pm, Pacific time.